Welcome to our Mystery Make-A-Long Activities!
A mystery make-a-long is a project that is broken down into clues. Clues are released one at a time on a set schedule and the participants do not know what they are making while they work the clue. At the end of the make-a-long you have a completed project.
Create artwork using materials you can find around your house, specifically focusing on things that would be thrown in the trash after using. Think of your favorite flower, tree, or animal and try to create a piece of art with that in mind! You could even make one rainbow or bear for each day of the mystery make-a-long.
Jump to: Day 1–Day 2–Day 3–Day 4–Day 5
Gallery Submissions
Photos submitted by PDE staff.
Day 1: April 20, 2020
Today, use something you found outside in your art. You can use seeds, leaves, or flowers, but make sure you have permission to take those things before you do! If you need to stay inside, try brewing some tea or coffee and use that as paint. Beans are also great alternatives!
Here are some ideas to get you started:
Flora Forager on Facebook,
Homemade Watercolor Paints,
Kids Gardening Fruit and Vegetable Art,
Kids Gardening Garden Activities,
Kids Gardening Soil Art,
Kids Gardening Leaf and Flower Prints, and
Kids Gardening Pressed Flowers and Leaves.
Share your creations on social media by tagging us @DelawareEstuary (Insta & Twitter), @PartnershipfortheDelawareEstuary (Facebook) and using hashtag #WilmEarthandArbor.
Optional tags include: #inWilm, #EarthDayAtHome, #EarthDay2020, #netDE
Image description: Asimina triloba seeds used to illustrate dancing people. Made by Partnership for the Delaware Estuary staff, Sarah Morales.
Day 2: April 21, 2020
Today, we want you to turn plastic that would be thrown away in the trash into beautiful artwork. Give a new meaning to the pesky single-use plastics, plastic wrap, bottle caps, and yogurt containers.
Here are some ideas to get you started:
Recycled Art,
Plastic Bottle Recycling Ideas,
Recycled Water Bottle Fish Project, and
Recycled Plastic Flowers
Share your creations on social media by tagging us @DelawareEstuary (Insta & Twitter), @PartnershipfortheDelawareEstuary (Facebook) and using hashtag #WilmEarthandArbor.
Optional tags include: #inWilm, #EarthDayAtHome, #EarthDay2020, #netDE
Image description: Photo of single-use plastic like straws, forks, bottle caps, bags, and body wash containers arranged in compartmentalized layout with purple background.
Day 3: April 22, 2020
Happy earth day! Today, we want you to make something out of toilet paper and paper towel rolls. It’s time to put all
that product to good use, and that
includes the roll. You can also use household things like cans, clean aluminum foil, and metal bottle cap if toilet paper and paper towel rolls are unavailable.
Paper Roll Crafts and Activities,
Toilet Paper Roll Flowers, and
Toilet Paper Roll Flower Wall Art
Share your creations on social media by tagging us @DelawareEstuary (Insta & Twitter), @PartnershipfortheDelawareEstuary (Facebook) and using hashtag #WilmEarthandArbor.
Optional tags include: #inWilm, #EarthDayAtHome, #EarthDay2020, #netDE
Image description: Photo of textured paper in pale green, white, and blue colors arranged in a circle with a blue ink bottle and glue container in the bottom left with crumpled paper, pencil, twine, and cup of pens in the bottom right. Hand with paint brush in middle.
Day 4: April 23, 2020
We’re in the home stretch! Welcome to the final day of creating in our make-a-long journey! Today, we want you to make something out of old paper products. Magazines, scratch paper, and even used coffee and tea filters are encouraged.
Home Decorations with Magazines,
Recycled Flower Craft,
Magazine Wall Art, and
Coffee Filter Crafts.
Share your creations on social media by tagging us @DelawareEstuary (Insta & Twitter), @PartnershipfortheDelawareEstuary (Facebook) and using hashtag #WilmEarthandArbor.
Optional tags include: #inWilm, #EarthDayAtHome, #EarthDay2020, #netDE
Image description: Collage of plant catalog used as background with teardrop shaped cutouts that mimic a pawpaw leaf in various cool-warm colors. Arranged in an alternating pattern like scales. Made by Partnership for the Delaware Estuary staff, Sarah Morales.
Day 5: April 24, 2020
Today, we want you to share all of the great things you’ve made throughout the challenge! If you weren’t able to participate in the make-a-long, you can catch up at any time throughout the month of May. You can share your creations on social media by tagging us @DelawareEstuary (Insta & Twitter), @PartnershipfortheDelawareEstuary (Facebook) and using hashtag #WilmEarthandArbor.
Optional tags include: #inWilm, #EarthDayAtHome, #EarthDay2020, #netDE